A New Beginning- by NearlyHeadlessNic
Chapter five --- The Old and New Friends.
Giles woke up to unfamiliar surroundings, the sunlight shone through the window of room eleven of The Leaky Cauldron like an early wake up call, though Giles did not order one but was thankful, he had a lot to do in a short space of time.
He slid very ungracefully out of the bed and stumbled into the shower. Only after showering and shaving would Giles awake properly, and a cup of coffee just gives him the edge that he needed doing the job that he does. So he went downstairs for his breakfast before he set out to visit some old friends. Tom, the toothless landlord, kindly offered a table and the Daily Prophet down in the breakfast room whilst a hovering coffee pot poured a cup of hot, black coffee for Giles.
"A full English Breakfast, Mr. Giles?"
"Oh yes, thank you Tom. I haven't had a proper one in years." Giles smiled and Tom went out into the kitchen.
The Wizarding Wireless was playing the Weird Sisters' new track in the background as Giles sipped his coffee reading the news with full interest. There was an article about Gringotts finally getting back into the full swing after a while. The fall of Lord Voldemort affected not only people's lives, but companies and businesses too. Since the death of many people meant a lot of vaults needed to be closed and many wills were needed by grieving families, the goblins became overloaded with work that they hardly coped.
An owl fluttered into the room, circling and surveying the many wizards and witches sitting eating breakfast before swooping suddenly onto the table were Giles was situated. Giles lifted his head up and examined the small tawny owl that perched proudly with his leg stuck out cutely revealing a scroll attached. He recognized the owl at once, he had seen it many times before, and it belonged to his good friend, Remus Lupin.
Giles smiled inwardly, aware that it would have been difficult for Remus to reply so quickly having it been full moon last night. Giles petted the owl appreciatively and took the scroll.
Dear Ripper,
It's good to hear that you are once again in England, and yes I would like to meet up. How about a cup of English tea (I realise you must have missed it being in California for so long) and a chat around one o'clock today?
-Remus.
---
Harry apparated to The Burrow without trouble at all, he smiled to himself at the sight of the place he had thought of his second home. He pulled up the hood of his traveling cloak and moved round past the chicken coop and into the back yard where he played many games of mini Quidditch during his Hogwarts years. Looking up, Harry saw Ginny's window, she was so close and yet so far away at the same time. Harry glanced at the ground and saw a smooth pebble at his feet, which he picked up and threw at the window. It bounced off and fell back down the ground as the curtains flashed in the window. Harry grinned and saw a mass of flaming red hair around a pale oval face glancing at him through the pane. She was gone for a few seconds and then a light was switched on and the same face appeared at the window. Her hazel eyes widened at the sight of the boy below and Ginny was gone again. Within a moment she was coming out the back door with a gray dressing gown wrapped round her and bright red slippers on her feet.
"Harry!" She greeted and enveloped him into a bracing hug.
"Hey Ginny," He replied returning the embrace. Harry felt a rush of memories overthrow him as Ginny's red hair was smothered in his face. It had been too long since their last encounter.
"What are you doing here?" She asked as soon as they let go of one another, "Weren't you meant to be in hiding? It was all very vague whatLupin told us."
"I came to see you again, to visit." Harry said, smiling, "Look, I don't want to sound rude, but do you mind going somewhere else. I don't want your Mum seeing me, not many people can know where I have been."
Ginny nodded, "Ok, just give me a few seconds to get dressed and I'll be down,"
She rushed quickly back into the house and Harry felt immensely relieved that Ginny didn't slap him or anything for disappearing suddenly. Harry did ask Remus to loosely tell a couple of people that they were going into hiding, and not even Remus knew that Harry and Hermione had gone all the way to California. What they did was very secret, very secret indeed.
Ginny appeared again at Harry's side, dressed in jeans and white top with cobalt blue robes over the top.
"Where do you want to go?" She asked immediately.
"I would like to see Ron, if that's ok with you," Harry said with a sideways glance as they walked down the dusty road leading away from The Burrow.
Ginny paused in thought, then spoke, "Of course, that's fine. I'd be meaning to visit him soon anyway."
Together, Harry and Ginny proceeded to the graveyard in Ottery St. Catchpole, which took about ten minutes to walk. They walked in silence, but not awkward silence, it was comfortable. Their friendship was so valuable and unique that they could understand each other perfectly.
The sun shone brightly through the white clouds down on the graveyard as Harry and Ginny walked down the path. She had memorized this walk having done it so often, Ron was Ginny's closest brother and she missed him dearly. She rarely saw any of her other brothers now, Charlie went back to Romania after the warand Bill moved to France with Fleur. Percy was always at the Ministry and the strained relationship between him and her mother was more strained then ever, Fred and George were busy at their shop (business was booming as usual) and so it was just Ginny and her Mum, who was still mourning Ron and her husband'sdeath.
Harry stopped in front of the grave, his eyes watering as he read
Ronald Arthur Weasley
A loving son, friend and brother
6th March 1980 – 25th June 1998
Ginny let out a muffled sob and hugged Harry as Harry just stared at his best friend's name stroking Ginny's hair absentmindedly. It was too unbelievable that he was dead, Harry was so used to him being his right hand man, and that was what he was right until his death. Ron died honorably, in Hermione's arms as Harry knelt at his side. Ron's death was one of the factors that led Harry to defeat Voldemort once and for all.
Ginny let go of Harry as Harry dropped to his knees and traced the word 'friend' with his finger, tears trickling down his cheek involuntarily. Although he wouldn't show it, Harry missed Ron; his best friend was not there to make jokes with about Hermione's thirst for knowledge, or to talk about girls with. It hit him hard.
After about half an hour, many more witches and wizards walked into the graveyard, obviously visiting other graves and it was time for Harry and Ginny to leave, trying to keep Harry out the way of being noticed by anyone. They walked swiftly out of the little village and went back towards The Burrow. Harry yawned.
"Why are you tired?" Ginny asked curiously, "Didn't you get any sleep?"
"Well no, not really," Harry said quickly, trying to cover it up.
"Where are you staying anyway?" Ginny asked.
Harry paused, should he tell her? "Umm … nowhere in particular,"
Ginny obviously wasn't satisfied with the answer and put one hand on her hip and gave Harry such a Mrs. Weasley-ish glare that Harry recoiled slightly.
"Ok, I'll tell you," Harry said and Ginny smiled, "Hermione and I, at the moment, are attending a muggle university," Harry paused, "In California," he finished.
"California!" Ginny exclaimed.
Harry shrugged, "Kind of"
---
Hermione awoke to find that she didn't recognize the blinds in which the morning sun was shining so brightly through. She didn't recognize the room at all infact, it smelt like a teenage boy's room where moldy food and underwear skewed all over the floor. She felt odd being in a bed, one that she definitely wasn't used to. She wondered where she was, and then she felt movement beside her. It dawned on her.
Parker. The Basement. His room.
Parker turned over and reached across putting his arm around Hermione, still asleep.
Hermione's eyes widened, how could she let this happen? Sleeping with someone a week into the new term, not to mention only a couple of months after Ron's death. She was vulnerable. Parker knew the spots to press softly and he did so, leading Hermione on.
Hermione felt disgusted with herself, to be pushed down to that level, to let her be pushed down to that level. She slipped unnoticed by Parker out of his bed and hurriedly put on her jeans and top which were on the floor and with one last glance at Parker, the slob spread out ungentlemanly across his bed, Hermione left.
She walked down the wide concrete paths swiftly to get to Stevenson Hall, trying hard to keep tears from gushing out. She had betrayed Ron in the worst possible way, by sleeping with someone else.
Even though their relationship was a short one, abruptly ended by Voldemort thirst to kill, it was the best feeling to be with him. After six and a half years of knowing Ron, Hermione realized the feelings she had for him and decided to do something about it. Her feeling for Ron was different from the feeling she had for Harry, which was far friendlier. Their relationship was nice and comfortable as well as being passionate and loving at the same time. Harry said once that they were made for each other, and they believed it all the way.
Hermione reached Stevenson Hall and walked automatically up to the second floor, where her and Harry's dorms were. She wanted to talk to Harry and so went straight to his door and knocked. When there was no answer she knocked again, thinking he was still asleep. There was no answer again; Hermione furrowed her eyebrows in frustration.
"Harry?" Hermione called, a tear trickling down her cheek. "Are you in there?" She waited for an answer but there was none, "Obviously not," Hermione muttered to herself and turned away. She began to walk, head down, when someone bumped into her.
"Sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going," Hermione mumbled, not looking up and started to walk towards her own dorm.
"Hermione?" the person asked.
Hermione looked up and a blonde girl was looking back, not just any blonde girl, it was Buffy.
"Are you alright?" She asked kindly. Hermione couldn't answer, it was too hard, and so she simply shook her head. Buffy smiled kindly and put her arm around Hermione. "Come on," Buffy led Hermione into her room and sat her down on the bed. There was another girl in the room, red haired and a sympathetic smile, sitting at the desk.
"This is Willow," Buffy introduced, "Willow Hermione, Hermione Willow."
"Hey," Willow greeted.
"Will, make a pot of coffee." Buffy asked as she sat down and placed her arm around Hermione in comfort.
"Sure," Willow moved over to the worktop and started fiddling with the kettle.
"Hermione what's wrong?" Buffy asked softly.
Hermione let out a muffled sob and began to tell what happened between her and Parker, and mentioned Ron, she felt guilty because of it. Buffy was understanding and considerate towards Hermione, and Willow made some great coffee.
"Don't worry Hermione, I can sort out this Parker guy." Buffy said.
"Thanks," Hermione mumbled.
"Buffy, I have to go and meet Oz, you know, after full moon and everything." Willow said and left. Hermione ears perked up at the words 'full moon'.
"Ok," Buffy said and Willow left.
Hermione took another sip of her coffee, and then asked, "Do you know about werewolves?"
Buffy looked rather taken aback, but then her features softened, "Will wasn't as inconspicuous as she hoped was she?"
Hermione smiled, "No, not really- so this Oz is a werewolf?"
"Yeah, but don't tell Willow that you know, Oz is a good guy and she doesn't want anyone to think less of him," said Buffy.
"Course, I understand," Hermione agreed, taking another sip of coffee.
"So how'd you know about them?" Buffy asked, intrigued by the whole Witch thing.
"One of my teachers was one of them," Hermione answered.
Buffy burst out laughing, "Seriously?"
Hermione joined in with the laughter, "Afraid so,"
"Well the only thing I could compete with that is the fact that the old mayor of Sunnydale was a huge snake," Buffy said as if was common news.
"What?" Hermione exclaimed, laughing with eyes wide.
---
Giles walked up the uneven paving stones that led up to the front door of his old friends house. It had been so long since he had seen him, about eight years Giles counted, too long he thought.
Giles was a member of The Order of the Phoenix since he was twenty-two, the first time it started. Albus Dumbledore inducted him along with the man he was going to see now, also along with a few others, including the Potters, Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew. It was after the fall of Lord Voldemort the first time, after the night of the Potter's death when Dumbledore told him a special mission for him. Along with Giles' Watcher training, he was assigned to research the reason why Voldemort was still out there somewhere, to research the Horcruxes.
Because of this research,Giles was told to go into hiding, he was protected by the Order so if Voldemort found out about the research he was doing then it was a certainty that he would be the next target, and Dumbledore didn't want that.
Giles knocked on the door and took a step back. The door opened to reveal a fatigued face.
"Ripper," Remus Lupin greeted, "It really is good to see you,"
"You too Remus," Giles said and stepped into the house, "Though, to be honest your looking older then me,"
"Yes, well, lycanthropy does take its toll, to the kitchen?" Remus motioned towards another door and they both went through. "Tea?" Remus offered.
"Please, I'm afraid America just doesn't make it the same,"
Remus laughed, "Of course, of course."
"I'm not going to beat around the bush, Remus, but I do have a few things to ask." Said Giles.
Remus looked curiously at Giles, but then busied on making a pot of tea with swishes of his wand, "Go ahead."
"The thing is that my Slayer, Buffy, has begun university and has met a witch and wizard."
"In a muggle university?"
"Quite, and they go by the names Harry and Hermione."
Remus dropped the teabags, making them spew randomly on the floor. His jaw was dangling and his eyes were as wide as saucers.
"Something I said?" Giles asked innocently.
It took a while for Remus to find his voice, which had unfortunately, fell with the teabags.
"Oh bugger."
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Author's Note: Thanks to all who have reviewed before. Please review again.